The “Glory” of Ministry

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.” 1 Corinthians 4:11-13 ESV

I recall the young man who had great aspirations for ministry. He was impressed by the speakers who addressed hundreds of youth at large conferences and decided, “that is what I want to do!”

Our natural tendency is to focus on status and make “superstars” out of “everyday” people. That is at least what Paul saw happening with the Corinthians and their divisions over who was the “best” of the leaders. What is Paul? What is Apollos? Was it Peter? And then the super-spiritual saw through the shallowness of human comparisons and “one-uped” the others and said, “We are followers of Christ!”

Paul uses an extended discourse to address this issue. I don’t believe we can really appreciate all that was happening in his day with this church. But we do see how Paul responds, “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” (1 Corinthians 4:1 ESV)

Regardless of what others said of the leaders of the day, Paul said we are “servants” of Christ and the gospel. He goes on and says, there is one criteria, one requirement that forms the basis of servanthood, “faithfulness!” (1 Corinthians 4:2) As Paul continues we see, “faithfulness regardless of the challenges, obstacles and difficulties that serving Christ brings.

Paul tells the Corinthians that they are the ones who are in the favored position. He says, “We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.” (1 Corinthians 4:10 ESV)

It is easy to look at the life of others and believe it to be one that is desirable and “trouble-free.” Even present day ministers that find themselves traveling extensively can be viewed with envy by others that never seem to leave the borders of their own state. However, after a while the lure of “travel” loses its attractiveness.

Paul tells that Corinthians about his life. More to enlighten than to complain. While those in Corinth had homes and a stable source of food and adequate clothing, Paul said, “…we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands.” Perhaps it was a “taste” of this lifestyle that lead young Mark to desert Paul and Silas on their first missionary journey.

Faithful servants must not only be prepared to endure hardship, but they must be prepared to respond spiritually, not react carnally. “When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat.” God-honoring responses to others and the situations one can face can be one of the greatest tests of being a faithful servant.

Paul ends by saying, “we have become….like the scum of the world…” Once again Paul is speaking from a “human” perspective. The challenges of life and ministry did not discourage or cause Paul to lose his focus. Even the things in his life that were “resume’ builders” Paul laid aside. He tells the Philippians, “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Philippians 3:8 ESV)

Paul realized that the “glory” of life is not in this life, but in faithfully serving Christ and trusting each day of our lives to Him. As a matter of fact, the glory in this life will pass away, but the glory that comes from Christ, lasts forever. That is a good for us to remember.

Prayer for today….. Lord, that You for granting us the perspective of life that is needed so we can be prepared to accept all that life brings. Enable us to simple commit to be faithful followers of You and to look forward to the “glory that will be reveal in us.” (Romans 8:18)